Senate Advances Bill That Sunsets And Abolishes FHSAA
April 23, 2013
Proponents of the Florida High School Athletic Association are on their defensive heels as those trying to revamp how high school sports are managed in Florida are driving with the ball as the clock runs down.
The Senate Education Committee voted 5-2 on Monday in favor of a measure (SB 1164) that would overhaul the FHSAA and eventually replace it with something else yet to be designed. The Senate bill was amended Monday to match the House version of the legislation, improving chances for passage.
The amended bill places new restrictions on investigations, alters the makeup of the FHSAA board of directors by including charter school, home school and non-public school members and abolishes the organization in July 2017.
Backers of the change say the reorganization is needed, claiming the FHSAA has an arbitrary authority and that it has gone too far in investigating student eligibility.
Bill sponsor Sen. Kelli Stargel addressed criticism that the bill, in reducing oversight, invites mischief.
“This bill does not allow free agency, does not allow recruiting, it doesn’t not legislate cheating,” said Stargel, R-Lakeland.
FHSAA supporters, including many coaches, school district officials and private school administrators, claim the changes will create “chaos” as some schools become sports magnets. They say it will invite frequent transfers, and force administrators and teachers to continually readjust academic plans for students who jump campus to campus.
The committee support was the first step in the Senate for the bill.
The Senate proposal has one more committee stop and Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, said Monday he expects his Rules Committee will have time to meet again.
Meanwhile, the House is expected to discuss its proposal on Tuesday.
The House version, rushed through three committee appearances with no opposition, has backing from Rep. Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland, the chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee.
Backers of the FHSAA say the proposal will also make it more difficult for small schools to compete in state athletic tournaments as more reliance is put on each of the 67 school districts to self-regulate their athletic programs.
“When we put a team on the field we know the other team has followed the same rules and regulations,” said Alachua County Superintendent Dan Boyd. “We don’t’ want that to change.”
Critics also say lawmakers are setting a dangerous precedent by delving into the daily operations of a non-profit organization.
“How long is it before you decide you don’t like the way other entities are operating?” asked Ron Meyer, a lawyer for the Florida Education Association.
Stargel argued that the Legislature isn’t overstepping its authority.
“They are the monopoly,” Stargel said. “We designate them as the organization that oversees our high school athletics, many of our public school funds go to the organization, so therefore I believe we have a role.”
She added that the FHSAA could continue as the overseer of state high school athletics after the sunset date if it agrees to abide by the directives of the Legislature.
“I don’t want to take over high school athletics, that’s not our role, but I want them to be accountable to the will of the Legislature and the will of the people,” she said.
Pictured top: The coin toss before the FHSAA District 1A Football Championship game last December in Orlando between Northview and Trenton. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Mental Health Gun Bill Moves Forward
April 23, 2013
Targeting people who could be “imminent” dangers to themselves or others, a Senate panel Monday approved a bill that would block firearms purchases by certain people who voluntarily admit themselves for mental-health treatment.
Sponsor Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, said the bill closes a loophole, as state law already bars firearms purchases by people who are involuntarily committed under the Baker Act. The measure is backed by the National Rifle Association and Unified Sportsmen of Florida.
“This bill stops dangerous people from being able to purchase guns,” said Marion Hammer, a lobbyist for the gun-rights groups.
The Senate Rules Committee unanimously approved the measure, which is ready to go to the Senate floor. The bill focuses on people who are found to be an “imminent danger” and face the possibility of being involuntarily committed if they do not admit themselves.
Volunteers Clean Up At Panhandle Equine Rescue
April 23, 2013
About two dozen volunteers spent part of their weekend cleaning up around the Panhandle Equine Rescue facilities in Cantonment.
The volunteers worked to clear an area in preparation for perimeter fencing at the facility. Volunteers included: Jay Birdsong, Matt Weber, Mike and Travis Wilson, Marty Luttrell, Ashley, Shannon, Madi and Kaeli Ann Josey, Ricky and Shelby Lowery, Pam Perry, Molly Edwards, Julianna Horn, Jonathon Pitts, Jim and Joyce Gill, Shana Gavlas, Nicole Eagle and Linda Lambert.
The only horse rescue in Escambia County, Panhandle Equine Rescue was recently certified by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Smith, Blue Wahoos Shut Out Jackson Generals 3-0
April 23, 2013
Blue Wahoos starter Josh Smith fanned a season-high seven batters over seven shutout innings tonight as Pensacola blanked the Jackson Generals 3-0 at the Ballpark in Jackson on Monday night.
The Blue Wahoos plated all three of their runs in the third inning off Jackson starter Roenis Elias. Three doubles in the inning from Danny Vicioso, Ray Chang and Brodie Greene contributed to the effort and all three came home to score. Steve Selsky’s RBI single scored Greene to cap the Wahoos third-inning rally.
Elias (L, 0-2) settled down after that, and was finished after seven innings. He allowed just the three runs on six hits. He struck out four, but was saddled with the loss.
Smith (W, 2-2) earned his second win of the season to even his record. He surrendered just two hits on the night. With his seven shutout innings, he has now worked 11 straight scoreless frames dating back to his last start on 4/16. Curtis Partch (S, 4) pitched a scoreless ninth to nail down the save after Chris Manno pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning.
Offensively, Chang and Selsky led the way with two hits each. Both of Chang’s hits were doubles, he also scored a run and had an RBI.
The two teams continue their series on Tuesday night. RHP Tim Crabbe (1-1, 4.60) will start for Pensacola against RHP Chance Ruffin (1-0, 4.24). First pitch is slated for 7:05 at the Ballpark in Jackson.
story by Kevin Burke
Clouds Today, Rain By Mid-Week
April 22, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. East wind 5 to 15 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southeast after midnight.
- Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
- Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80.
- Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 77.
Flomaton Wreck Leads To Manhunt In Century
April 22, 2013
One person was injured and another fled the scene after a single vehicle accident Sunday night in Flomaton.
The accident happened just after 10 p.m. on College Street, between the railroad crossing and Ringold Street. The driver of the vehicle lost control, ran off the roadway, hit a ditch and overturned. The vehicle came to rest upside down in a yard. One occupant of the vehicle, described only as a black male, reportedly fled the scene on foot towards Florida.
A female occupant of the vehicle was transported by Escambia County (Fla.) EMS to Jay Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
A manhunt involving a K-9 unit from the Century Correctional Institution, the Flomaton Police Department, Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office and the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office followed in an area along the state line, including an area behind Odom’s Bar in Century. There was no immediate word of any arrests late Sunday night.
The accident remains under investigation by Alabama State Troopers.
Pictured: One person was injured and one person fled the scene on foot following this crash on College Street in Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
House, Senate Agree To $480 Million School Pay Raises
April 22, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott will get the $480 million he wanted for education pay raises. But barring a last-minute change of heart by legislative negotiators, he will not get an across-the-board, $2,500 increase for classroom teachers.
The House and Senate agreed to set aside the $480 million during as part of a Sunday negotiating session on the education budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
The fine print guiding how the pay raises are provided still has to be worked out, but the lead negotiators for both sides said that any pay increases would be decided based on merit.
The House had been pushing for more money without as stringent a requirement that the funds go to teacher pay raises — even though lawmakers would have made it very clear that they should. Rep. Erik Fresen, the Miami Republican lead negotiations for the House, said Sunday the final language would make sure the money wound up in the right place.
“I think at the end of the day, regardless of how you look at it, it’s going to be used for teacher salary increases, and it will have a methodology that includes merit to make sure that that commitment to merit recognition stays in place,” he said.
Not only have lawmakers long championed the idea of basing the pay raises on merit, lawmakers said the fact that all instructional personnel would be included in the House and Senate raises — instead of just classroom teachers — means a $2,500 across-the-board raise wouldn’t be covered with the $480 million.
Scott has openly touted the pay raise as one of his two priorities for this year’s legislative session, the other being a sales tax exemption for manufacturing equipment. The governor’s office issued a terse statement following the meeting.
“The governor has priorities. The Legislature has priorities. There’s still enough time left to determine how successful this session will be for all of us,” said Scott spokeswoman Melissa Sellers.
Scott has said repeatedly that he believes that the increase should be across the board, though he dodged a question Wednesday on whether he would sign a budget that used merit as basis for the increase.
“Well, I’m confident the House and the Senate will do the right thing,” he said. “I’ve never talked about what type of budget I will and won’t sign.”
Districts have complained, most recently at a meeting with Scott on Wednesday, that merit increases could complicate efforts to negotiate contracts with local unions in time for the school year.
But Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton and lead negotiator for his chamber, brushed those gripes aside — noting that merit pay will be required in the 2014-15 school year.
“There’s legislation that’s been enacted,” Galvano said. “It’s out there. This is not something new for the districts.”
By The News Service of Florida
Overnight Delays This Week On Nine Mile Road
April 22, 2013
Drivers can expect intermittent land restrictions on Nine Mile Road between University Parkway and the Escambia River Bridge all this week from 8 p.m. through 6 a.m. for road repaving.
Construction could be delayed or rescheduled due to inclement weather. The Florida Department of transportation is reminding drivers to obey posted signs and use caution when traveling through the area.
AND1 Live Streetball Tour, Basketball Clinic At Northview
April 22, 2013
Two big basketball events are coming to Northview High School Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, the AND1 Streetball Tour 2013 will tip off in the Northview gym. Doors open at 6 p.m., with game time at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance (available at the school), or $12 at the door. Details are in the graphic to the left of the page.
On Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Northview basketball will hold a clinic for elementary to high school players. Players will get training from the Northview Chief’s varsity basketball team and coaches. All aspects of the game will be covered. The clinic is $20 per player. For details and registration information, click here (pdf).
Generals Draw Even In Series With 7-3 Win Over Wahoos
April 22, 2013
Despite a two-run homer by Donald Lutz, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell short against the Jackson Generals 7-3 on Sunday night at the Ballpark in Jackson.
The Generals scored four runs in the first inning against Blue Wahoos starter Daniel Renken. Each of the first four Jackson batters reached against him, and all came home to score in the inning. After that, Renken settled down and retired nine in a row before the Generals got to him for two more on a two-run home run by Abraham Almonte in the fourth inning.
Pensacola never got closer the two runs behind after the home run by Lutz, despite scoring an additional run in the fifth.
Renken (1-1) took the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits over five innings. Jackson starter Brett Shankin earned the win after giving up three runs on five hits over six innings.
Lutz led the way offensively for the Blue Wahoos with his 2-for-4 game. Theo Bowe also broke out with a 2-for-4 contest. The two hits were his first two of the season.
The two teams will continue the series on Monday night. RHP Josh Smith (1-2, 10.97) will start for the Blue Wahoos against Generals LHP Roenis Elias (0-1, 3.06). First pitch is set for 7:05 at the Ballpark in Jackson.
story by Kevin Burke